Staring out the window Cilla reached for her robe. The sky was full of twinkling stars, the street below quiet in the deep of the night. She had managed a few hours of sleep, but the longing ache from her dreams had woken her and now that she was awake she might as well head downstairs and get started on her day.
Sid breezed in several hours later to find that she had everything ready to go. All the cases were filled, the pans were washed and stacked and she was pecking way on her computer.
“How long have you been at it today Cil?” He was worried about her. The shadows under her eyes were getting darker by the day and she was getting in here earlier and earlier.
He was sure she wasn’t eating either; it was starting to show in her face, the hollow cheeks told him he was right. It was just how she dealt with her feelings, when she went through all that shit with Charles he watched as she faded away to almost nothing. He finally had to force her to eat amid threats of hospitalization if she didn’t. She didn’t talk about it with anyone, she just kept on going, but eating fell to the wayside.
She kept pecking away, not even looking up when she spoke, “long enough to save you from having to do anything.” Knowing the reason behind her mood, he let that barb go. He laid his hand on her arm, “Cil you look like shit.” She whipped her head away from the screen to look at him, “screw you Sid.” She turned back to the computer screen, continuing to click away.
Sid sighed and went to get his apron. “Did you eat breakfast at least?” She just shook her head. He walked back over to where she was working, “what are you doing that is so much more interesting than talking to me?” He peered over her shoulder, “what is that?”
Pushing her hair back she straightened up slightly, “if you must know, I’m trying to finish the design for the cake that Jon wants me to do for the last night of the tour.” Sid’s eyes widened and his brows rose in surprise, “when did he ask you to do that and why didn’t you tell me?”
Cilla closed the cover on her laptop and gave Sid her full attention, “he asked a while ago and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I wasn’t sure he wanted me to tell anyone.” Sid nearly pouted. He couldn’t believe she didn’t tell him. “But I’m your best friend; you always tell me stuff you aren’t supposed to.” Cilla sighed, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you Sid, and I’m sorry I snapped at you when you came in. You didn’t deserve that.”
He pulled her from the stool she was perched on and wrapped her in a hug, “I know you miss him sweetie, but you need to sleep and you need to eat. Skipping either isn’t going to bring him back any quicker.” He eyed her phone that was lying on the table next to her computer, “why don’t you go upstairs and call him. I’ll be fine down here for a bit.”
She rolled her head against Sid’s shoulder, “you’re too good to me Sid.” She sniffed back her tears, “I don’t deserve you for a friend, never have.” He patted her back, “of course you don’t, but you’re stuck with me.” He pressed her away from him, “now go call your man and get out of this funk you’re in. You need some sleep and a decent meal too, Jon’s not going to like this bag of bones you’re slowly becoming.”
Cilla reached for her phone; then let her hand fall away “maybe I shouldn’t. What if he’s busy? I don’t want to bother him.” Sid picked up the phone and pressed it into her hand as he pushed her toward the door, “go call him. He’ll talk to you, even if it’s only to say ‘I’ll have to call you back.’ Go!”
When the door shut behind her Sid leaned against it, rubbing a hand across his forehead. “I wonder if Richie is having the same trouble with Jon” he wondered aloud as he headed out to the front of the store.
~
Sitting on her bed Cilla stared at the phone in her hand for several long moments, debating with herself before she finally scrolled through her contacts to ‘blue eyes’ and hitting send.
Jon was getting ready to head out for sound check when his phone buzzed at his hip. Reaching for the doorknob with one hand he grabbed the phone from his hip with the other. A smile spread across his face when he glanced at the window and saw who was calling. He turned and leaned against the door, all thought of leaving pushed aside as he flipped his phone open.
“Sweets.”
The sound of his jersey-tinged voice even through the phone was enough to help ease the ache. She lay back on the bed and smiled.
“Jonny.”
The soft whispery tone of her voice eased the tension, had Jon’s jeans tightening and his stance widening as he leaned against the door. “How are you Sweets?” God he missed her.
“Better now” she sighed. Turning her head she glanced up at the poster over her bed, her eyes homing in on him. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
He shook his head, “no, not at all.” He was going to be late for sound check he mused, and he had a feeling his friends wouldn’t mind one bit.
Jon glanced at his watch, she should be working right now and he drew an image of her in her kitchen, “what are you doing Sweets, working?”
“No” she smiled, “Sid shoved me out the door with my phone. I’m lying on my bed looking at you.” When he didn’t say anything she continued, “you looked rather sexy with all that long hair but however did you manage to get those jeans on? They looked like they were cutting off your circulation.”
Jon chuckled; she was looking at that damn poster over her bed. “I looked like I was wearing a mop on my head and those jeans weren’t as tight as you might think.” He paused, “you liked the hair?”
It was Cilla’s turn to chuckle. “I did.” She kept her voice low, “I always wanted to run my fingers through it. Although I have to admit, the bigger thrill for me is getting to run my fingers through the hair on your chest.”
Jon pressed himself harder against the door; he could just about feel her soft, strong hands running over him. His nipples tightened in response. “Sweets, you’re going to send me to sound check with a limp.”
“Should I be sorry?”
He shook his head, “no, but you should be prepared to go back to work more than a little frustrated.” Two can play at this game he thought.
She thought for a minute, “so I guess I shouldn’t tell you that I’d like nothing better than to worry your nipples with my tongue as my fingers slide down over your stomach and trace the sexy vee of your hip bones?”
Jon groaned, “only if I can tell you that I’d give my right arm to feel you writhing under me as my lips skim over your neck and shoulders, trailing down to take one pretty pink nipple in my mouth as my fingers slide lower to tease your...” He stopped when the pounding on the door started.
Cilla whimpered, her nipples had hardened and she could feel the wetness in her panties from his words alone. “Why’d you stop?”
He closed his eyes and turned, letting his forehead bang against the door, “because there are four assholes on the other side of my door banging on it because I’m late.” So much for them not minding him being late.
Cilla took a breath, “you said it wasn’t a bad time to call.”
Jon sighed, “it’s never a bad time for you to call Sweets. I’ll always make the time to talk to you. But I really should go now.”
Cilla wanted to cry but she kept herself in check. She would be strong for him if it killed her. “It’s okay. Call me later and maybe we can finish what we started here.”
Jon smiled, “you can count on that Sweets. I love you.”
The pounding on the door became more insistent, “come on man, we’re late!”
“Go Jonny, I’ll talk to you later. I love you too.” She hung up before he could say anything more.
Jon took a few deep breaths, trying to get himself under control. Thinking about anything other than her he opened the door, “come on assholes, let’s get this show on the road.”
Chapter 48
Chapter 47
Jon paced his room like a caged animal. He had been down to work out, but that hadn’t eased the tension. Every channel on the TV was in Portuguese so he had slapped the television off and now he paced as he waited for room service to arrive. When the knock came he flung the door open and was surprised to see Richie standing there and not his food.
“What do you want?” he asked a bit more sharply than intended.
Richie held his hands up in defense, “hey, just because you’re in a piss poor mood is no reason to take my head off man. What the hell is your problem?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing my ass.” Richie studied his friend, taking in the dark circles under his eyes, the dour expression on his face. “You’re missing her, aren’t you?”
Jon glanced over at his table, the pink box mocking him. There was only one pink box he wanted and it might as well have been a million miles away right now. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, “so what if I am?”
Richie wandered further into the room, “have you talked to her lately?” They had found special deliveries once during their time in Germany and again when they had arrived in Portugal. Richie had even added gym time to his day because of it. He smiled ruefully, damn her.
“What’re you smiling at?” Jon hoped it wasn’t because of him and his situation.
“I was just damning your girlfriend” Richie told him. “She’s made me have to start working out again.” Jon snorted, “yeah right. It’s all Cilla’s fault.” Richie chuckled, “okay maybe not all her fault, but she’s certainly not helping matters any, no matter how good those cookies taste.”
Jon raised an eyebrow in surprise, “all you get is cookies?”
Richie reached for the box on the table, “why, you get something different?”
Jon smacked his hand, “do not touch that. Just step back and I won’t have to break your fingers.” Richie eyed his friend, “you know I can kick your ass, right?” Jon leveled his gaze at Richie, “you’d have to catch me first and you know you can’t do that, right?”
They stared at each other over that box for several long minutes. Richie would have looked away but a knock on the door had Jon being the first to move. Wheeling the room service cart over to the table he looked over at Richie. “Sorry man.”
Richie waved off his apology. “Just call her man, look at what she’s doing to you, to us. If you don’t, I’ll call her and talk to her myself.”
Jon relaxed his stance, “I know. I just don’t understand why it’s so hard this time. I don’t remember it ever being like this before.”
Richie shook his head, “think man, think back to 20 some years ago, when you went after Dot. You were miserable until you went and got her and brought her out on the road with you; at first. After you guys were married it was easier for you, mostly. You always have separation anxiety for the first couple weeks of a tour. You’ll get through it.”
Jon sighed, “I guess.” He looked down at the food, the club sandwich held no appeal now. “You hungry, want a sandwich?” Richie shook his head, “no, but thanks. Look we’re going to head out in a while, do a little sightseeing, get some food. Why don’t you join us tonight? You have kept yourself holed up in whatever room in whatever hotel for the last two weeks. Maybe a little fresh air will help distract you.”
“Maybe” Jon agreed. “What time and where are we going?”
Chapter 46
With a sigh Cilla sat heavily on the dressing room chair. She had promised Sid a shopping trip but he was wearing her out and they were only on the second store. How am I going to survive the day?
“Hey” Sid banged on the door, “you all right in there? Have you tried anything on yet?”
Cilla shook her head; it was going to be a long day. “I’m getting there Sid, hold your horses.”
When she opened the door again Sid stood there tapping his foot, waiting impatiently, “took you long enough, come over here let’s see what we’ve got.” He dragged her over to the mirror, “well, the jeans are fantastic, your ass looks fabulous, but I’m not sure about the top.”
Cilla turned back and forth, trying to check herself from different angles, the jeans really were amazing and she didn’t see anything wrong with the green sleeveless blouse. “I like it Sid. What’s wrong with it?”
He looked at her again, “maybe too much ruffle down the front, I don’t know. You really like it?”
She turned to go back into the dressing room, “I like it. I’m keeping it.” Sid followed behind her, “okay. Will you try on these other things now?” She looked at the pile he was gesturing to and sighed, “all of that, are you crazy? I’ll be here all day.” Sid pouted, “you said I could pick stuff out for you.” Rubbing her temples she looked at the pile again, “pick out your favorites from that pile and let’s get on with it.” Cilla resigned herself to the fact that this was going to be an all day event.
Finally making it to the last item in the pile Cilla frowned. It was a dress. “Sid” she called over the door, “I’m not trying on this dress.” He came over to the door and poked his head in, “oh yes you are. That is a spectacular dress.” He pulled the door closed, “you’re trying it on.” Cilla looked at the dress again, it was a pretty dress, but where would she wear it? She didn’t go anywhere that she would need a ‘spectacular’ dress.
When the knock came she jumped. “What?!”
“Do you have that dress on your body yet? Get out here so I can see it.”
She pulled off her t-shirt and bra, “keep your pants on Sid. I’ll be right out.”
When she stepped out she knew by the look on Sid’s face that she was keeping the dress. “Oh Cil, look at yourself. That dress was just made for you.” She moved to the full length mirror and couldn’t disagree with Sid. The dress that had looked like a simple slip on the hanger took on a whole different look when it was on a body. The strapless bodice hugged her breasts, pushing them up slightly with a twist at the center then the ice blue fabric floated straight down, stopping just short of her knees.
Sid watched her look at herself in the mirror. “You look beautiful Cil.” She met his eye in the mirror “you think so?” He nodded, “I’ve always thought so sweetie. It’s you that’s always had trouble with it.” She looked back to her reflection, “I guess.”
She looked back at Sid, “it is a great dress Sid. But where would I wear it?” He smiled at her, “anywhere Jon takes you. Did you forget who you’re dating? I’m sure there will be a function at some point that you will need a dress like this.” She returned his smile, “okay, okay, I’ll buy the dress.” Sid watched her walk back to her dressing room, “that’s my girl. You know what that needs though don’t you?”
She was almost afraid to ask, “what?”
He grinned, “shoes!”
Cilla groaned and closed the door.
~
Setting her bags down, Cilla fell back across her bed, she was exhausted. Shopping with Sid should be an Olympic event. He never tired, never wanted to stop and rest. She didn’t know how he did it. She had had to bribe him to get him to stop for half and hour and eat. Never again she vowed, never again was she going to give him an entire day for shopping. She couldn’t take it.
Stepping over the pile of bags and boxes she headed into the bathroom, turning on the taps, letting the bathtub fill. Adding a dollop of her favorite bubbles, she stripped off her clothes, clipped her hair up on top of her head and sank into the fragrant steaming water. She groaned as the heat started to work out all the aches and kinks of her day. Her groan turned to a moan as she remembered the last time she had sank into the tub. Jon had shared it with her.
Laying her head against the back of the tub, Cilla closed her eyes and let memories of that night come back. Running her hands over her slick skin, she wished Jon was there with her.
Chapter 45
Rolling over, Cilla reached for the far side of the bed, dragging the pillow close. Sleep had eluded her yet again. Hugging Jon’s pillow to her chest she inhaled deeply, catching a hint of his scent still clinging to the linen. She sighed and sat up; she might as well get up if she wasn’t going to get lost in her dreams. As she was about to throw off the covers, her phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Sweets, it’s me.”
Cilla lay back against her pillow, the phone cradled to her ear. “Jonny, how are you?” Her voice was soft and Jon smiled at the use of his nickname. He loved how it sounded off her lips. “I’m okay Sweets. How are you?” Cilla sighed, “I’m all right. Did you get your surprise?”
He nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. “We all got them. Thank you very much. That was very thoughtful albeit unnecessary. You’re going to make us all fat by the end of this leg of the tour you know.” Cilla laughed, just as he had hoped. “I can send fat free or sugar free cookies, would that be better?” He laughed, “what would be the point of that? We could just eat the box, it would probably taste the same.”
She chuckled, “it probably would, but if you want to be healthy, I can do healthy. Oatmeal, granola, bran, no chocolate. How would that be?” Jon sat on the edge of his bed and laughed, “the guys would kill me if that happened. Just do what you do best Sweets.”
As their laughter subsided Jon could hear rustling in the background. “Where are you Sweets, what time is it there?”
It’s just after 6 in the morning here and I’m still in bed.” She shifted again, “my bed seems so big now.”
Jon closed his eyes and very nearly swore. He could see her, her hair mussed and tumbling over her shoulders, eyes heavy with sleep, and he was sure the answer to this next question was going to cause him some discomfort. “What are you wearing Sweets?”
Cilla glanced down at herself, she had crawled into bed the night before in her camisole and underwear, nothing especially sexy. “My camisole and lace boy shorts.” Jon gripped his phone harder, his knuckles white, “what color?” He remembered the pink from the day she snuck back upstairs to be with him and wondered if it was the same.
“Blue” her voice dropped to a near whisper, “pale blue.”
Jon fell back on the bed, trying to get comfortable, trying to make the tightness in his jeans bearable. “Sweets," he groaned, "do you know how to use the camera on your phone?”
She heard his breathing increase and his voice change slightly with the question and she nodded as she answered, “yes, why?”
“Take a picture for me, please?” He had meant to snap one before he left and with the way they had said goodbye in her kitchen, it had been the furthest thing from his mind at the time.
Before she could lose her nerve, Cilla pushed the blankets off, held her phone up and snapped the shot. With just a few clicks she had saved it and sent it to him.
Hearing the beeping in his ear he pulled the phone away and opened her message. Sucking in a breath he put the phone back to his ear, “baby, you look amazing. Thank you.” She looked exactly like he thought she would. “Can you do one more thing for me?”
Cilla closed her eyes, “I am not getting naked for you.” He laughed, “well maybe not this time, but we’ll talk about that later. What I want is your e-mail Sweets. Do you have e-mail on that new computer of yours?” She pulled the blankets back up, “of course I do. You ready?” He grabbed a pen from the night table and proceeded to write on his hand, “shoot.”
“It’s queencilla@gmail.com. Should I ask for yours?”
Jon thought for a minute, “well I could make you wait until I send you something and make you figure it out, but I won’t. You ready?” She grabbed her paper and pen from the night table, “go ahead.” Jon rattled off his address, blueeyedguy@hotmail.com.”
When they hung up Cilla got out of bed, feeling slightly better now that she had talked to Jon and now she at least had e-mail to look forward to at some point along with the phone calls. She showered and headed down to her shop. She had a cake to deliver and then she had paperwork to take care of if she was ever going to get the expansion for her shop okay-ed by the City Council.
Closing his phone, Jon stroked his hand down the front of his jeans. Between hearing her voice and the picture that she sent, he was ready to burst. Next time he would see if he could talk her into a little phone play but for now, he would have to take matters into his own hands. His eyes drifted shut as his hand popped the button on his jeans and lowered the zipper.
Chapter 44
As the plane lifted off, Jon stared out the window, wanting to be anywhere but there. The noise and activity around him didn't register. Even when Richie plopped down in the seat next to him, he didn't take his eyes off the window. His mind was elsewhere, it was back in a little kitchen with a pretty dark haired woman who wore a pink camisole and black pants with smudges of flour on them.
"Hey man, how's it going?" Richie unbuckled his seatbelt and stretched out his legs while he waited for Jon to respond. When he didn't Richie nudged his leg, "hey." Jon finally turned his head, "oh, hey man." Richie studied his friend, "you okay bro?" Jon shrugged his shoulders, "yeah, I guess."
"You wanna talk about it?" Richie had a feeling he knew what was bothering Jon, but he knew that Jon wouldn't talk unless he was ready, so he didn't push.
Jon sighed and shifted in his seat. "It was harder to leave this time than it has been man." Richie pursed his lips in thought, "is it this Cilla that you've been seeing?" Jon turned and looked at Richie, "yeah, I love her and it about killed me to say goodbye to her earlier." Richie's eyebrow winged up in surprise, "you only just met her what, a week ago and you love her, are you sure about that?"
"Two weeks ago and yes, I'm sure." Jon was a bit miffed at Richie's seeming disbelief that he could feel like this in so short a time.
Richie raised his hands in defense, "okay, sorry. It's been so long since I've seen you like this, I forgot what you're like." Jon slanted a look at Richie, "and how's that?" Richie smiled at him, "miserable. Cheer up man, we'll only be gone six weeks and we have these wonderful inventions called the cell phone and e-mail." Jon gave half a laugh, "gotta love technology, but I don't have her e-mail address. I don't even know if she has one. She just got a new computer a week ago and I don't know if she has that set up yet." Richie rolled his eyes at Jon, "ask her when you call her later."
The rest of the flight passed in relative peace. The guys talked quietly amongst themselves before they all dropped off into sleep. When they arrived in Dubai, Jon hardly had a chance to think about Cilla, it was just go, go, go nearly from the moment their plane landed. When he finally had a few minutes to breathe he sat down on the bed in his room and took a look around, noticing for the first time the pink box on the table.
"Oh Sweets what did you do?" he wondered as he walked over the picked the box up. There was an envelope tucked under the string, his name across the front written in her pretty script. As he lifted the flap a there was a knock on his door. Slipping the note in his pocket he opened his door to find his band mates, pink boxes in hand, standing there. "What?" he asked as he ushered them in.
David set his box down on the table, "who is Cilla and why or how did she get this stuff to us?" Jon looked at his friends, Richie was the only one who knew about Cilla. "Cilla Preston is my" he paused searching for a word more fitting than 'girlfriend' but none came to mind. "Girlfriend and she owns her own bakery, Queen of Tarts. If I had to guess, I'd say she talked to Paul and that's how we all ended up with these little care packages."
David nodded, "so this stuff is safe to eat then?" Jon took David's box, "it's better than safe and if you don't want yours, I'll be happy to take it off your hands." David grabbed his box back, "you've got your own, back off man."
Anxious to read his note and to see just what she had put together for him he tried to rush his friends out, but they wanted to know about Cilla. He sighed and sat, he'd have to read her note later. He told David, Tico and Hugh about Cilla, answered their questions and put them at ease about the gift she had so thoughtfully sent. "I guess she just wanted us to have a little piece of home" he told them. "I honestly don't know. I am as surprised as you are."
After he had answered all their questions, they cleared out, heading back to their own rooms to dig into the special treats sent from home. When Jon closed the door behind them he dug in his pocket for the note and sat heavily on the edge of the bed. Tapping the note against his chin, he slid it from the envelope and began to read.
Jon,
Surprise!I thought you and the guys might like a little taste of home while you're away. Keep an eye out, you may find other pink boxes along the way. Tell Paul thanks for me for his help and not spoiling the surprise.
I miss you. I hope your shows go well. Travel safe.
I love you.
Cilla
Jon lay back on the bed, a smile on his face as he glanced at the clock, wondering if it was too late to call Cilla.
